Anyone skip gears while shifting?

[aschendel]

I've always wondered about not going into (not letting the clutch out) each gear as I move through the gearbox.  For example, I often do 1, 2, 4, 6 as I accelerate to highway speeds, sometimes even 1, 2, 6 if I hammer on 2nd.  Do you guys do this too?  Has anyone had or heard of any indication of gearbox trouble from this practice?  I also do it on the way back down, but possibly not as routine, which ones I skip depends on the area under the curve.

Andy

[tk]

I skip gears sometimes on downshifts. On the Frontier ride I sometimes find myself braking
hard from very high speed for a corner marked 15 or 20 mph. I will drop 2 gears at once. Both my Kawis have an excellent slipper clutch so there is no rear wheel hop or chatter.

I enjoy upshifting so much that I don't skip gears on an upshift.

[Greg]

I've always wondered about not going into (not letting the clutch out) each gear as I move through the gearbox.  For example, I often do 1, 2, 4, 6 as I accelerate to highway speeds, sometimes even 1, 2, 6 if I hammer on 2nd.  Do you guys do this too?  Has anyone had or heard of any indication of gearbox trouble from this practice?  I also do it on the way back down, but possibly not as routine, which ones I skip depends on the area under the curve.

Andy

I've never heard of any gearbox trouble related to this practice though I don't know much about the mechanics of an engine or transmission.
From my perspective, I'm with Tony. I enjoy up-shifting through the gears so I don't skip over gears. I do at times down-shift a couple gears at a time.

FWIW, the 3 Honda's I've owned (2001 CBR929, 2004 CBR1000, 2007 CBR1000) have at times sent me into what I call a "false neutral" (perhaps I read that phrase once, I dunno). When up-shifting quickly I sometimes shift into a "neutral" space between 5th & 6th gear. All 3 of my Honda's have exhibited this trait.
Perhaps that's because it's the same rider each time. 

PS. I have been known to on occasion not use the clutch when up-shifting. Primarily because it looks cool.    .... mostly kidding.

[beedawg]

Yep.  Six-speed transmissions are overkill* for most street riding, especially when taking off in a straight line.  I'll often go 1-3-5-6, or 1-2-4-6.

Downshifting from highway speeds at a stop sign, I'll often go from sixth to first with the clutch disengaged just before coming to a stop.  I don't think I ever use engine braking to slow in a situation like that.

Brent

*I'm not saying sportbikes shouldn't have six speeds.  I'm saying that there are times when three or four would be plently, but when I want all six, I want all six.  I doubt I'd ever want a three- or four-speed sportbike, even if it shaved hundreds off the price of the bike.

[Elk]

When up-shifting quickly I sometimes shift into a "neutral" space between 5th & 6th gear. All 3 of my Honda's have exhibited this trait.
Perhaps that's because it's the same rider each time.

I have done the same on both of my Ducatis and on Yamahas before this.  I suspect it is related to how sequential transmissions are designed.  And my failure to shift well at times.

[vince]

I skip gear all the time with any bike after I reach the speed I want. None of my Honda's have false neutrals.